Coast Guard saves 7 stranded on island in Maine

The seven were on a guided tour when high afternoon winds, ranging from 15 to 25 miles per hour, prevented them from returning. Rather than risk it, they located the nearest island, made landfall, and awaited recovery.

The boat crew arrived at the island, steadied up on the leeward side, and brought the seven people and their kayaks aboard at 2:15 p.m. Roughly ten minutes later, they were all safely at the pier in Bar Harbor.

There were no injuries reported.

“These folks did the right thing,” said Chief Petty Officer David Lebrecht, command duty officer at the Sector Northern New England command center.

He said the wind was calm in the morning, but increased as the air temperature warmed in the afternoon, which is typical for the area.

“When the weather changed, they were smart to call it quits and call for help, instead of pushing on against the elements,” he said.